John Ryan

[Chris Black come back]

They always say that you never know what you have got until it has gone, but I tell thee we will miss JR when he finally makes way - and a long way off I hope this is.

I think we can easily forget just what a mammoth task this has been to get where we are.

For decades - 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s - we were give or take the odd promotion, a largely crap club that went into terminal decline for the decade leading up to 1997/98 when we dropped out of the league. A huge, massive effort to heave the club back into professionalism, THREE promotions in a handful of years, a brand new stadium, world class players (almost), million pound player(s), Tomi Ameobi - we've had it all.

How did we get this? A core of loyal and committed fans who kept the club going in dark days, but more than anything else JR. Millions thrown away at the club, endless energy driving the club forward with pitiful support from the local public, and a one-man solution to just about every problem we have faced.

Who else would have done this?

We don't know how lucky we are. We got where we are by the efforts of thousands of Rovers fans and the superhuman efforts of one Doncaster lad made good.

John Ryan. I salute you.

[Norfolk N Chance]

Almost cried at his FP interview, suggest any Rovers fans read it on line or buy fp, but respect or what...apart from my father never respected anyone more!

[RedJ]

Can anyone post a link (if it's online)? I can't seem to find it on the FP site (might be my phone being a bit dodgy mind).

[MrFrost]

It says for the full article buy the Free Press.

[Chris Black come back]

They want us to pay for their content.

The bas**rds.

[RedJ]

They want us to pay for their content.

The bas**rds.

Jesus I was only asking.. I'll pick up a copy on my way out tomorrow.

[Standanista]

Bit hard getting the DFP in Bolivia.

[Berkshire Rover]

Apparently the full text will be online over the weekend.

Back to the main point though, I agree with the sentiments of he OP  we would be nowhere without ths man, he deserves  our undying love and admiration. He isn't perfect, he takes too much notice of some of the drivel on here, but never ever say that the man doesn't have the bst interests of our club running through his veins, he truly is a legend.

[Chris Black come back]

And there is a load of drivel on here believe me!

[prawncocktail]

Why dont we sing 'One John Ryan' anymore? He is the greatest man ever associated with the club

[roversontheup]

I posted similar sentiments on the DS Appreciation thread.  After reading the Free Press I was driven to putting something on here and perhaps even writing a letter of appreciation to JR himself.

However hard things are and whatever some people think of the current regime we must never ever lose sight of who has kept this great club of ours afloat.

[leedshayter]

Sir john is a legend no jr no drfc simples!massive respect to the man!

[dknward2]

As i have said in another thead would be nice for JR to walk down to the singing section on sat so we can show how much he means to us with a round of one john ryan

[MrFrost]

Saviour. Sir. Legend.
I hope he is at the helm for many years to come.
I might have critisised his approach sometimes, but he wears his heart on his sleeve, everyone can see that.

[benaldo]

I don't care if he doesn't like me. I couldn't care less. But, I think without him DRFC would be a combination of the following -

a) A laughing stock
b) In a lower league
c) In belle vue with second hand seating and facing a backlog of thrombosis claims
d) Drawing tiny crowds
e) Dead


He's single handedly saved the club and even though I bet it hurt him to do it, he changed things early this season to increase the chances of DRFC staying in this league.

Ok, so PR isn't his strong point, spouting off about me for one was stupid and ill thought out, and his many rants about the Doncaster public only serve to alienate him. But....he's the only person I've ever known associated with the club that I'd trust.

[Jimmydee]

Thanks to the french company PIP, JR might have problems, pardon the pun but it looks like that it's gone 'tits up' in the body enhancement industry.

[Chris Black come back]

Think he got out of Transform at the right time. Not sure that MYA has made him a second fortune yet.